The Weekend Hashtags Project of the Lowveld recently hosted a local Worldwide Instameet at Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre, with about 20 young people from White River, Mbombela, KaBokweni and KaNyamazane attending. An Instameet is where people gather in a predetermined location, at a set time, to take photos and upload them to Instagram.

The Worldwide Instameet 16 (WWIM16) was the 16th instalment in which, over one weekend, people from around the globe got together at various locations and take part in one-theme photo meet. Bongani Mtimkhulu, who started the weekend hashtag project, Instagram profile (instagram.com/whplowveld), said its aim was to encourage, engage and showcase users of the platform from this area.

“Novice and professionals attended the meets. Some come armed with the high-end equipment and others, like myself, use smartphones,” said Mtimkhulu.  “WWIM16 was used a vehicle for users of the platform to connect beyond their screens. Possibly meet people from their communities that they’d not have normally met. The theme for this past weekend’s meet was ‘kindness’ (#kindncomments).

“The purpose was to get the community to connect with one another using an existing and growing platform. This was not the first meet I have been a part of. All have been great fun, and I have met people living in this area whom I’d not have ordinarily met,” he said.
“All you needed were comfortable walking shoes and an open mind and heart to connect with people who have a shared interest in taking pictures.

We are looking to do three more meets before the year ends. Details will follow soon. Best is for folks to keep an eye on the instagram.com/whplowveld timeline or join the Facebook group (search for Weekend Hashtag Project Lowveld).